Lost Lotus Elevens

David's link shows Jim Russell in a Lotus 11-Alta and Tony Brooks in a Lotus 9-Lea Francis.  So are we talking about two different cars?

 

Vince H.

I don't think so. The reports in Autocar and Autosport magazines refer to Brooks in a Lotus-Connaught, with Russell not mentioned, while Motor Sport refers to Russell in a Lotus-Connaught, with Brooks not mentioned.

Also, the Motor Sport report doesn't state that Russell was in a Lotus Eleven Connaught. The only type number referred to in any of the reports was Chapman's Eleven.

 

Autocar (13 July 56) Silverstone F2 race preview

“ Brooks has been chosen by John Coombs to drive his Connaught…

 

Autocar (20 July 56) report

20 starters included eight Lotus Climax (3 of them 1100cc), a Lotus-Connaught driven by Tony Brooks, a Lotus-Maserati. Russell not mentioned at all. The only Lotus referred to by a type number was Chapman’s Eleven.

 

Autosport (13 July 56) preview

Entry list included Lotus-Connaught, Tony Brooks. Russell not listed.

 

Autosport (20 July 56) report

20 starters. 9 Lotuses including Brooks’ Lotus-Connaught, Naylor Lotus-Maserati.

Grid does not include Russell.

“Tony Brooks was soon to retire his Lotus-Connaught with brake trouble”

No type numbers given for any cars.

 

Motor Sport (August 56) report.

Field included 9 Lotuses, including Russell (Lotus Connaught).

“Russell had to retire the Lotus Connaught with negative brakes”

Brooks not mentioned. No type numbers given for any cars.

 

So it would seem to be the one car (of John Coombs), not necessarily an Eleven, & driven by either Brooks or Russell.

Jon, If this is one of the 4 engine photos, I think that you will find it is the Mike Anthony straight six Bristol engined Eleven, driven by Mark Lund in the Sports car Race: http://www.wsrp.cz/intgb1956.html#14

 

Charles

Was this really an Eleven, or Anthony's Mk. Ten?

The period reports refer to  Lund driving Mike Anthony’s Lotus Bristol, but don't mention a type number.

After the Mark X Bristol Mike Anthony had a Lotus Eleven with a Bristol engine, apparently they managed to squeeze it under the bonnet by fitting it on its side!

My reply #145 referred to my photo of J. Coombs driving a Lotus Connaught.  What I didn't say was that it was a Lotus Mk X, and I would presume that this was the car that Tony Brooks raced at Silverstone.  The Mk XI's seemed to be a variation of a Mk VIII, but with the Mk IX rear suspension, and adapted to use larger engines such as the 2 litre Bristol.

Thanks Charles

 

Spoke to Vic last night, those four photo's are Mark Anthony's Lotus Eleven Bristol.

 

Jon

Once again I hate to dispute anything that David McKinney has posted but maybe he has been given some bad
information at some time. So he is not wrong - he has just been provided with some 'non-factual facts'

I have been in touch with the current owner of the ex-Jim Palmer car and he assures me that it has never left
New Zealand. He purchased it in 1991 and has never shipped it to the UK. He has the original car, the original
chassis plate, and the New Zealand registration document listing all of the owners starting with Roly Crowther
and including himself when he had owned it in an earlier decade.

Maybe the Peter Bruin clone (which apparently had an Alfa Romeo engine) was the one that went to the UK?

One of the two cars built by Peter Bruin, and the one with the alfa engine, now resides in my garage.
I imported it into Australia in 2000, and this week purchased it from the guy that has owned it since that time.
I have the details of the owner prior to that, who got the car unfinished from Peter Bruin in 1985, finished it, registered it and drove it until 2000 when I purchased it for the next owner. It has taken me fifteen years to buy it from him.
It has always been described as a replica, never as a genuine Eleven. Probably the closest I have ever seen to a genuine car, but still a replica.
Any queries regarding this car can be directed to me, as I have its full provenance, from a letter from Peter Bruin stating he built the frame and bodywork, to the prev paperwork, including all import paperwork, registration papers, and indeed, the car. I have construction photos from its conception until today.
That should put that theory to rest.

I have no idea if this Eleven is lost, just that it was the most appropriate place to put this photo.

 

There's been a couple of boxes with old magazine clippings in my shed for a decade now, but the other day for some reason I had a scratch through them. This photo was amongst one of them. The boxes came from an uncle, but they relate to a chap named Peter Coleby, he was a member of the BARC in the UK and must have come to Australia in or around early 1960. As there's a March 1960 dated letter from the Light Car Club of Australia thanking him for his assistance at the previous Sunday's Rob Roy Hillclimb and application for membership

 

Anyway, cutting to the chase this photo might be able to be dated by those with Lotus Eleven knowledge. So over to you.

 

 

Stephen

In 1957 Peter Coleby competed at the following events:

Goodwood 25th Members Meeting, May 11 (5-lap handicap, Goggomobil entered by Rob Walker)

Mallory Park 1st Members Meeting, Aug 17

Goodwood 27th Members Meeting, Aug 27 (Goggomobil)

He did not trouble the scorers.

(Source: B.A.R.C. Yearbook, 1958.)

 

See:

 

https://revslib.stan...tem/xv493rp3426

 

https://revslib.stan...log/np680yk0334

 

Competed at Hants & Berks M.C. Great Auclum Speed Hill Climb, in 1957 in Goggomobil.

 

There is a letter from Peter Coleby, Motor Sport, Page 664, October 1958, lamenting the lack  of British minicars. Sent from Horsham, Surrey.

 

I would say XJH 781 is a lost Lotus Eleven - I can find no trace of it.

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 13 June 2016 - 12:57.

I appreciate your help Rupert, given the time you've obviously spent sorting through the REVS library. Hopefully the photo might come to the attention of someone with knowledge of that particular Lotus.

 

Not wishing to go too far off target, but Peter Coleby came up because he was the source of the photo. Going by the boxes of stuff I have he was involved in war service and received a DFC and a quick google finds his name in a couple of places. He comes up in the January 1949 Motor Sport archive, because he owned a 1924 AC and London Gazettes relating to RAF duty..

 

Kicking around here is the 10 March 1961 Autosport with his story about 12 months down under (Australia) and a rejected 1959 feature he had written for the BARC Gazette. Complete with General Secretary, H J Morgan's "... not quite suitable for us, ..." covering letter.

 

By the story, he obviously rolled the Goggo at Brands in June 1958.

 

Stephen

Is it possible to publish the BARC Gazette story? That would be brilliant after all these years. RGDS RLT

That did go through my head Rupert. But do I start a thread for Peter Coleby or try to find one BARC related?

 

Stephen

Either will do! Coleby sounds like an interesting chap. His Autosport report also? RGDS RLT

This thread started with a search for the Lotus-Valiant. Never stop looking!

 

See: https://library.revs...763/default.jpg

 

I added the following comments:

 

Black car is Lotus-Valiant D Mod, ex-Trant Jarman, ex-Bob Montana? Note air cleaner on scuttle at right. Driver Earl Shuholm, San Francisco? Is the Elva driver Ed Bowman? Picture in California? Not 1980, but sixties? I think this is SCCA Regional Kirker Creek, 3/4 April 1966?

 

http://www.racingspo...1966-04-03e.jpg

 

So this picture takes the car to the spring of 1966? I think subsequently advertised in Competition Press.
I picked up a rumour that the car was sold to Los Angeles to a guy intending to race it at Bonneville (possibly El Mirage)?

Further enquiries have drawn a blank so far.

 

RGDS RLT

 

Amended link: https://library.revs...us-races/454763

Edited by Rupertlt1, 27 March 2023 - 06:47.

COMPETITION PRESS & AUTOWEEK, February 11, 1967

LOTUS-PLYMOUTH MK 11 - D Mod. Pow-

ered by fully modified Plymouth Valiant en-

gine. Fast, reliable, inexpensive car to race,

easy to work on. $1550 includes trailer and

spares. Earl Shuholm, 368 Page st., San

Francisco. Calif. 94102; (415)982-4272days,

(415) 647-2881 eves, or (415) 285-1555 eves.

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 10 August 2018 - 03:19.

This is Tom Newcomer, Overland Park, Kansas, #99, SCCA Regional Sports Car Races, Lake Garnett, 5th July 1959

 

Is ETN 99 a former British registration?

 

https://library.revs...ion=p17257coll1

 

See: https://forums.autos...portscar-races/

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 24 February 2020 - 18:09.

RLT thanks for waking up this thread ! I couldn't find another thread concerning Lotus Elevens, I have some questions regarding an Eleven. The car is not lost, it is/was active in vintage events. It is chassis #332 the Carroll Shelby/Jim Hall car, it was mentioned here a number of years ago, there was also a comment concerning the original nose with its Von Dutch paint job hanging on the wall in some ones shop. I have a few photos of the car that I have found over the years on the internet, and a couple of photos in the excellent book "Sports Car Racing In The South - Texas to Florida 1957-1958" by Willem Oosthoek, pages 164-165 the images on these pages are of particular interest to me.

Jim Hall's Lotus 11 is shown with the front body work opened up around the wheels, these are the only images I have come across with the car in that configuration, in the same book there is a photo on page 116 of the car ( it is questioned if indeed this is chassis #332) with the original type of nose (faired in wheels) and unpainted body work, and also a poor photo of the car on page 114. All other images I have found have the original Eleven type nose. I wonder if any one knows the reason for this modification ? Jim Hall remembers the car as a reliability head ache.

Don't mean to be so long winded, this is all to do with a 1/43 model project.

Thanks for any comments, Michael.

Bump    Any thing on the Jim Hall (Chaparral) Lotus 11 ?.......Jerry Entin  or Willem ?

Gary Knutson behind Lotus 11

Eagle mountain. Fort Worth around 1958

 

Michael,

 No other images of Jim Hall’s Lotus 11 [chassis 332] have surfaced so far.

 After Hall, the Lotus went to Ben O’Neal of Bossier City, who installed a 2-liter Maserati engine in the car. He raced it at Mansfield and Hammond in 1962. Alas, no images of the car under its new ownership.

 

Willem

Edited by Jerry Entin, 19 March 2020 - 17:07.

Jim Hall's Lotus 11 at Phoenix in the day

 

photo: Sonny Balcaen collection

Joe Playan in his Porsche leading Frank Monise in his Lotus 11 at Palm Springs Airport in the day

 

photo: Lester Nehamkin.

Edited by Jerry Entin, 19 March 2020 - 13:44.

Okay, here are 2 really lost Lotus 11s:  

 

First, Noel Armstrong of El Paso, TX had an 11 that he, and Maxine Duane,  raced in G Modified in SCCA races in the Southwest in the late 50s and early 60s. He sold it to John Busley who installed a SAAB 2-stroke engine to run H Modified.

 

Second, Ted Gonzales of Alamogordo, New Mexico (not really New, and not really Mexico) had an 11 to which he fitted a Datsun 4 cyl.  According to Racing Sports Cars website, Gonzales qualified for and raced at the 1969 ARRC in C Sports Racing.  I remember seeing the Lotus outside his shop in Alamogordo, but did not see him race.

 

I assume they are 2 different cars, but don't know for sure.

 

Mark 

Eagle Mountain, June 1958. Jim Hall Lotus 11

 

Here you go Michael :  Just found another photo of Jim Hall in his 1.5-liter Lotus 11, showing its features very well.

 

Photo:: Bob Jackson 

Edited by Jerry Entin, 19 March 2020 - 23:36.

So who is this?

 

Lake Garnett, 1961:

 

https://library.revs...ion=p17257coll1

 

Some suspects: Dr John Horn (#717, crimson) of Muskogee, OK; Ed French, Kansas City, MO; Ron Moss, Bartlesville, OK; David Kiser (Kaiser?) Kansas City, MO; Donald Clay, Lee's Summit, MO.

Elva: Tom Thomas, Wichita, KS; Clinton Lindberg, St. Louis, MO (appears at Racing Sports Cars as Clinton Lindburg, previously raced Lotus XI). 

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 20 March 2020 - 12:20.

Okay, here are 2 really lost Lotus 11s:  

 

First, Noel Armstrong of El Paso, TX had an 11 that he, and Maxine Duane,  raced in G Modified in SCCA races in the Southwest in the late 50s and early 60s. He sold it to John Busley who installed a SAAB 2-stroke engine to run H Modified.

 

Second, Ted Gonzales of Alamogordo, New Mexico (not really New, and not really Mexico) had an 11 to which he fitted a Datsun 4 cyl.  According to Racing Sports Cars website, Gonzales qualified for and raced at the 1969 ARRC in C Sports Racing.  I remember seeing the Lotus outside his shop in Alamogordo, but did not see him race.

 

I assume they are 2 different cars, but don't know for sure.

 

Mark 

 

Some information ref a Saab-engined car here.

 

https://www.hemmings...-1956-lotus-11/

 

"This year Gonzales has en-

tered five races. Gonzales won

the CDR at Castle Rock, Colo.,

placed second in the regional

meet at Tuscon, Ariz., and

clinched a bid to the ARRC

with a first place victory in the

nationals at Tucson.

In other races this year, Gon-

zales won third place at Las

Vegas and second at Aspen."

The Daily Sentinel (Grand Junction, Colorado) 23 Nov 1969, Page 15

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 20 March 2020 - 12:34.

Rupert,

 

Thanks for the information.  The times when I saw Armstrong's 11 fits into the frame for the unknown history of #150. I think the first time would have been around 1960.  His car was dark colored, maybe BRG, and according to Racing Sports Cars website Aylward's car was light colored or white.  Armstrong might know but I don't have any contact info.

 

Interesting article about Gonzales from a Colorado newspaper and not New Mexico.  Must have moved.

 

Thanks for the reply.

 

Regards,

Mark S.

Rupert,

 

Thanks for the information.  The times when I saw Armstrong's 11 fits into the frame for the unknown history of #150. I think the first time would have been around 1960.  His car was dark colored, maybe BRG, and according to Racing Sports Cars website Aylward's car was light colored or white.  Armstrong might know but I don't have any contact info.

 

Interesting article about Gonzales from a Colorado newspaper and not New Mexico.  Must have moved.

 

Thanks for the reply.

 

Regards,

Mark S.

 

The article re Gonzales says he is from Grand Junction.

 

See: https://www.racingsp...nzales-USA.html

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 20 March 2020 - 21:31.

Vic Nelli, North Hollywood, CA, raced a Lotus-Datsun at U.S.R.R.C. Riverside, 28 April 1968.

 

See: https://www.racingsp...-Nelli-USA.html

 

What is it? Why is it running BSR?

 

A crazy thought occurs - could the Lotus-Datsun be the Lotus-Valiant with an engine swap? 

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 20 March 2020 - 21:27.

No indication in the records as to what model Lotus it is.  I don't remember the displacement ranges for the SR classes back then, but the engine from the Datsun 2000 might belong in BSR rather than CSR for the one Gonzales ran.  Just a guess.

 

One of those things that makes you wanna go "Hmmmmmmmmmm".

Who is this at Riverside 30 Oct 1966?

 

https://library.revs...ion=p17257coll1

 

https://library.revs...ion=p17257coll1

 

https://library.revs...ion=p17257coll1

 

https://library.revs...ion=p17257coll1

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 21 March 2020 - 11:40.

October 30th '66 was the Can-Am weekend, if some here has the program (Jerry Entin  ? ) the entry list for the supporting event might list that 11.  Also Competition Press/Autoweek covering that race. I looked at the Racing Sports Cars site they only show the entrants for the Group 7 race.

Edited by group7, 21 March 2020 - 15:35.

Jerry & Willem, thank you both for the replies on the Jim Hall Lotus 11. In post #168 of the unpainted 11 at Eagle Mountain, is that the Hall car ? 

 

the engine ?

 

Also photos in post #169 at Phoenix, and # 172 of Hall at Eagle Mountain June '58 , not seen by me before, shows the opened up front body around the wheels well.

 

Michael

 

ps: Jerry, thanks for reposting those lost images in the Knutson thread, post #168 is not the Hall car !

Edited by group7, 21 March 2020 - 18:34.

LOTUS ELEVEN Mark 2 C S/R. Alfa

engine, Webers, new Goodyears, spare

mag wheels, many extras. Completely

gone though for 1970. Trailer with

electric brakes. This car in better than

new condition, a perfect jewel. Needs

nothing to continue its 1969 winning

history $1500. Ray Dillon, 76

Soundview Ave, East, Northport, Long

Island, N.Y. 11731; (516) 261-7703

Competition Press & AUTOWEEK, September 26, 1970

 

RGDS RLT

Who is this at Riverside 30 Oct 1966?

 

https://library.revs...ion=p17257coll1

 

https://library.revs...ion=p17257coll1

 

https://library.revs...ion=p17257coll1

 

https://library.revs...ion=p17257coll1

 

RGDS RLT

 

Racing Sports Cars lists Jon Higgins of Costa Mesa/Menlo Park as racing a #51 Lotus Eleven in several California races from 1966 to 1968.  1966 - maroon, 1967 - blue.

 

Vince H.

LOTUS Eleven Sports Racer, fi-

berglass body, Borrani wires, right

hand drive, DKW engine, SCCA

legal, could be converted to street,

many spares, including tires,

wheels, block etc. 1 of 46 Elevens

in the country, trailer available.

Must sell, $1100. 681-4651

The Miami News (Miami, FLA) Fri 7 Mar 1975, Page 104

 

Could this be the car of Clarence and Julian Mericle?

 

https://www.racingsp...ericle-USA.html

 

https://www.racingsp...ericle-USA.html

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 23 March 2020 - 16:03.

LOTUS 11 1963 G-M Central Division Cham-

pion, FJ Anglia engine, enough spares to build

another car, $2500. Firm for everything; send

for spares list. Peter Helferich, 735 W. Glen-

coe, Palatine, Ill.; 359-1944

Competition Press, 11 Sept 1963

 

LOTUS XI—'63. SCCA Div. Champ.,

Spares galore, go mod. not prod.,

race and win cheapest. Peter Helfe-

rich. MO 6-4255 or 359-1944

Chicago Tribune, Sunday 26 Jan 1964, Page 54

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 24 March 2020 - 12:34.

So, who is driving the #292 Lotus? Where? When?

 

Is it Steve Matchett?

 

#31 MGB is Ronnie Bucknum?

 

https://library.revs...ion=p17257coll1

 

What are they doing in the same race? Practice?

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 23 March 2020 - 23:29.

That is Laguna Seca.  Must be the October 1963 event.  Steve Matchett was entered in a white Lotus Eleven, #292.  Bucknum finished 2nd OA in the GT race.  Presumably, they practiced together.

 

Matchett was listed from Ojai, California.  In 1967, there was a Steve Matchett from the USA running a Brabham BT18 in Europe.  And in 1971, Steve Matchett from England running a Porsche 908 in the Can Am.  Same guy ?

 

Vince H.

Edited by raceannouncer2003, 25 March 2020 - 05:36.

Here’s an earlier thread on Steve Matchett the FVee/Chevron/Porsche 908 racer, but there’s no mention in it of any Lotus 11s, so may not be the same person:

Steve Matchett

Edit: It is the same Steve Matchett. I’ve now checked the link to an Alfabb thread in that Steve Matchett thread. It includes this from one of his old friends:

Steve Matchett went on to race locally in California SCCA events in a Lotus XI, did some Formula 3 in Europe and became Formula V Champ of the UK for a season. He contested the Can Am in 1967 (I think!), driving the ex-Tony Dean Porsche 908, placing as high as eighth in one race that year (Road America?). He tried his hand at NASCAR, attempting to qualify a pig of a car at the Riverside "Motor Trend 500" road race, but that went for naught. He lives today in Charlotte, NC, and works as a free lance photographer in and around the NASCAR scene.

Isn't Steve Matchett the same guy who did F1 commentary for Speed Channel, teamed with David Hobbs and Peter Windsor?

 

RGDS RLT 

No, definitely not. The Benetton mechanic/TV pundit Steve Matchett was born in 1962, so couldn’t be the 1960s racer.

https://en.m.wikiped.../Steve_Matchett

LOTUS 11 Built 1960. Probably most

perfect 11 in U.S. Original factory paint;

1100 Climax. Car is fast, has good finish-

ing record. $2500. Robert S. Shufelt, 315

Mueller, Arlington Heights, Ill.; 253-2419

Competition Press, Feb. 8—Feb. 21, 1964

 

https://www.oldclass...co.uk/lotus.htm

 

See post here.

 

https://www.racingsp...hufelt-USA.html

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 24 March 2020 - 13:13.

Here is a long shot — does anybody have anything on the Malden A.F.B., MO, races?

 

https://www.racingsp...ive/Malden.html

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 24 March 2020 - 15:08.

See Ralph Miller, Eagle Mountain, June 1956.

 

https://forums.autos...s/#entry9033587

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 26 March 2020 - 10:53.

Prudence Baxter in Chuck Tannlund's Lotus Eleven with 750cc OSCA motor.

From Sausalito, California.

 

https://library.revs...ion=p17257coll1

 

https://library.revs...ion=p17257coll1

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 26 March 2020 - 11:26.

There's an Osca engined Lotus 11 in the May 1966 Road & Track classifieds p120. Although quoted as 1150cc and "faster than any Climax"

 

With the seller listed as John Schick, Kansas City.

 

Stephen

So who is this?

 

Lake Garnett, 1961:

 

https://library.revs...ion=p17257coll1

 

Some suspects: Dr John Horn (#717, crimson) of Muskogee, OK; Ed French, Kansas City, MO; Ron Moss, Bartlesville, OK; David Kiser (Kaiser?) Kansas City, MO; Donald Clay, Lee's Summit, MO.

Elva: Tom Thomas, Wichita, KS; Clinton Lindberg, St. Louis, MO (appears at Racing Sports Cars as Clinton Lindburg, previously raced Lotus XI). 

 

RGDS RLT

 

#47 in the photograph at Lake Garnett 1961 is Bill Stone?

 

https://www.racingsp...-Stone-USA.html

 

From St. Charles, Illinois.

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 26 March 2020 - 12:21.

Here is another unidentified #22 Lotus Eleven at Lake Garnett, 1959:

 

https://library.revs...ion=p17257coll1

 

RGDS RLT

Edited by Rupertlt1, 27 March 2020 - 11:43.

Back in the late 60s, a motor club friend, Alan "Loppy" Graham had an Eleven in Wigton, Cumbria to which he added an alloy roof. At that time it would be declining in value and I think he used if for sprints and even autocross.

For Gary Knutson and Lotus 11 start here:

 

https://forums.autos...n/#entry3376437

 

RGDS RLT 

Rupert,

 

Thanks for posting the link to the Gary Knutson thread.  Awesome amount of history revived.  I saw a post of Jerry's from November, 2008 about an Osca that had been fitted with a Chevy V8 and was in Colorado, but the photos are gone.  I'm sure this must be the same Osca Chevy that I saw race at Deming, New Mexico in 1964 driven by Ron Hunter.  Would love to see the photos.

 

Mark